Own or drive this car?

Atoz 5dr

Matthew Nicoll
Date:
22/12/2008

Overall verdict

5
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

3
out of 5 stars

Running costs

5
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

3
out of 5 stars

Average MPG

50

My car

Despite looking like a Noddy car, the Atoz is incredibly cheap to run and service; is surprisingly spacious; easy to park in small or tight spaces; excellent driving position and has a roofrack (optional) to boot. This is an around town car - do not expect handle and ride on the motorway as the small wheels and engine struggle with long distances or high speed. However, keep it serviced regularly and you will enjoy reliable and incredibly cheap motoring. You can also leave it anywhere as no-one is going to steal it. So - cheap fuel, low insurance and servicing costs and a very spacious interior means that if you want a cheap value for money car you really will struggle to find anything better than the Atoz.

Sex appeal - zero. Badge snobs will avoid it like the plague but who cares when all the money you have saved is sitting in the bank?

Genuine no worry motoring but make sure you buy with full service history.

Atoz + 5dr

Mark Sedgwick
Date:
21/09/2007

Overall verdict

4
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

4
out of 5 stars

Running costs

4
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

4
out of 5 stars

My car

I bought one of these for my wife. I must disagree with the What Car reviewer saying it's only good as a town car, and shouldn't be used on a motorway.

We were unfortunate that the gearbox failed on my Renault Laguna 6hrs before we were due to go on holiday to Devon (a 450 mile trip). Our only option was to use my wife's car, and trim down the luggage. The car performed brilliantly, handling motorway speeds no problem.

In fact the lively engine is just in it's powerband at 70, so overtaking is brisk. The seats, although being thin are very comfy, and even though it's small on the outside, it feels big on the inside. Equipment level is very good for a cheap car, and has lots of useful storage areas (the underseat storage boxes are a useful idea).

The semi-auto gearbox is great to use and makes for very relaxed driving, especially when sitting in long traffic jams en route to Devon. After doing 1800 miles in it on our holiday I much prefer it to my Laguna. If you don't need to transport large items then it's great for day to day use, and long trips too. We've been up many steep hills where my wife thought the car wouldn't get up it, for it to manage it no problem.

Its easy to park, offers good mpg 45 to 50mpg most of the time, and is cheap to insure. Although the tall roof may look unusual, it's practical as it gives lots of headroom for taller adults. It doesn't affect handling either, and the car can be thrown around a fair bit, as most of the weight it still low